University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 10-02-2012

Cokie Roberts brings 'Insider's View' to Maverick Speakers Series Thursday

ABC News political commentator Cokie Roberts presents an "Insider's View of Washington, D.C." in the Maverick Speakers Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in Texas Hall. A question-and-answer session and book signing follow the lecture.

Roberts provides analysis for all network news programming at ABC. She also serves as a contributing senior news analyst for NPR and a regular roundtable analyst for This Week With George Stephanopoulos. She has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and American Women in Radio and Television has cited her as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting.

General admission tickets are free. A premium seating package is available for $25. The package includes a front-of-the-house seat, reserved parking near the venue, front-of-the-line access to the book signing, and more. All tickets are available at utatickets.com.

MavAlert Emergency Notification System test Wednesday; update your contact information

To ensure timely communications in the event of an emergency, UT Arlington plans a system-wide test of the MavAlert Emergency Notification System at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3.

The MavAlert system is designed to rapidly notify students, faculty, and staff in the event of a campus emergency. The system sends emergency notifications via registered email addresses and text message devices when a life-threatening situation arises.

To enable MavAlert text messages, you must add your mobile phone number or other SMS text message device to your UT Arlington emergency contact information. To add or verify your mobile phone, log in to MyMav at uta.edu/mymav, then click on the "Sign up for MavAlerts" link in the right column.

During the Oct. 3 test, students, faculty, and staff will receive the following message via the email addresses and mobile devices designated in their MavAlert profile: “This is a test of the UT Arlington MavAlert Emergency Notification System. In an actual emergency, you would be instructed as to what actions to take.”

The MavAlert test will coincide with the regular monthly test of the Outdoor Warning System, also at 12:30 p.m. The University’s voice annunciation system will be activated inside campus buildings. The City of Arlington's monthly weather warning test will follow at 1 p.m.

Help make the MavAlert system test a success by confirming and updating your information prior to Oct. 3.

Study cites UT Arlington's $13.6 billion impact on Texas

UT Arlington has a $13.6 billion total annual impact on Texas and fuels 131,200 jobs a year, according to a new assessment of the University’s operations, research, and workforce enhancement effects on business activity by The Perryman Group.

UT Arlington’s impact reflects about 4 percent of the North Texas economy, the study found. Economic activity associated with the University also leads to incremental tax receipts of about $310 million a year to local governments and $639 million to the state, the study said.

Read more about UT Arlington's economic impact.

Carnaval color The University Center mall glistened with color last Wednesday for Carnaval, an evening of masquerade, games, and music as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. See more photos.

Voter registration deadline is Oct. 9; forms available at University Center

Voter registration applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, Oct. 9, to vote in the general election, set for Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Forms are available in the Student Congress office, Suite B150 in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Students living on campus, in a residence hall, or apartment can register at their campus address.

UT Arlington is an early voting polling site, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, in the Maverick Activities Center.

For more information, contact Jennifer Fox, Student Congress president, at sc-pres@uta.edu.

See more details at the Texas voter website.

Influenza vaccine offered through Health Services

Flu shots are now available for $20 at Health Services. No appointment is needed. Leave your cash at home and charge to your MyMav account.

Don’t have time to visit the health center? Stop by one of the flu shot outreach clinics 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center.

• Wednesday, Oct. 24, Library mall.

• Tuesday, Nov. 6, Library mall.

Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering established

Arnold Petsche, founder of A.E. Petsche Co., has made a $1 million commitment to the College of Engineering to establish the Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering, pending UT System Board of Regents approval. His gift will double in value through the University’s Maverick Match program to create a $2 million endowment for the center. The Maverick Match leverages natural gas royalties to attract new philanthropic commitments.

The center will promote engineering education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, especially through student participation in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers program. Each year, participating students design an FSAE car from the tires up and then race their vehicles against collegiate teams across the country.

The center will allow students to earn a new Certificate in Automotive Engineering and a Certificate in Engineering Entrepreneurship. It also will promote other automotive engineering initiatives, especially in cost-effective manufacturing of composites and other advanced materials.

Read more about the Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering.

Razing hazing Armanie Buentello, University Studies senior, signs the Mavericks Against Hazing commitment banner last week during National Hazing Prevention Week.

Mental health screenings today

More than books weighing you down? Mind/Emotion Wellness Day offers free mental health screenings for stress, anxiety, depression, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD, and alcohol and relationship concerns.

Screenings are open to students, faculty, and staff 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Red River Room of E.H. Hereford University Center.

Counseling Services also offers two interpersonal therapy groups that meet on Monday or Tuesday afternoons, starting this week, and a five-week group to gain coping strategies to navigate college life meets 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays starting Wednesday, Oct. 3. To register, call 817-272-3671.

Homecoming moves to fall; court nominations needed

Homecoming moves to the fall semester with activities, reunions, sports, and more Nov. 15-17. Submit nominations for Homecoming Court royalty through Monday, Oct. 8.

Nominations are not required for the Homecoming Court, but application is. Individuals wishing to run for Homecoming Court must file by Friday, Oct. 12, in the Office of Student Governance and Organizations, Suite B120, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Homecoming King and Queen elections are Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 29-30.

See the Homecoming schedule for details on events.

Gandy family endows scholarship to aid first-generation students

A $1 million endowment established through a Fort Worth couple’s gift will provide scholarships to sophomores who excel academically and who are the first in their families to attend college.

The Shirlee J. and Taylor Gandy First-Generation Scholarship Program will benefit UT Arlington sophomores on the basis of merit and financial need. The endowment is being established through a $500,000 commitment from the Gandys that will double in value through the Maverick Match program, which leverages the University’s natural gas royalties to encourage new philanthropic commitments.

Read more about the Gandy First-Generation Scholarship Program.

Good sport Legendary sportswriter and novelist Frank Deford opened the fifth season of the Maverick Speakers Series with his lecture "Journalism: Sports and Beyond," Tuesday night in Texas Hall. Deford, who has spent 50 years as a writer for Sports Illustrated, talked about America's obsession with sports and how colleges often overemphasize athletics.

Focus on Faculty talk addresses censorship during Banned Books Week

In conjunction with Banned Books Week, Lonny Harrison, assistant professor of modern languages, discusses "When Books Go Underground: Censorship and Media Control in Russia" in the year's first Focus on Faculty presentation at noon Wednesday, Oct. 3, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. A reception follows the lecture.

Dr. Harrison, head of the Russian section in the Department of Modern Languages, offers a look at the subject of government repression of reading and examines the practice of and results surrounding state banning of books in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

The lecture focuses on censorship in Russian cultural life from Catherine the Great to today and some of the great works of political and artistic expression that flourished in spite of it.

Sign up for 32nd annual Bed Races

Wake up and enter the 32nd annual Bed Races with your best and fastest friends. The event—one of the University's longest running traditions—begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Maverick Stadium.

Teams of students push beds on wheels while decked out in creative costumes and compete in three categories: women's, men's, and co-ed. Entry fee is $40 per team. Fees go to the Student Life Fund.

Deadline to enter is noon, Tuesday, Oct. 9. Register online. For more details, call Student Activities at 817-272-2963 or Campus Recreation at 817-272-3277.

The Bed Races are sponsored by Campus Recreation and EXCEL Campus Activities.

Sustaining energy Jean-Pierre Bardet, left, dean of the College of Engineering, and Shelly Hamedi, administrative assistant in the dean's office, admire the mountain bike that Hamedi donated to the dean's office for use by students. She won the bike in the Green Team audit program, sponsored by Campus Sustainability.

Grants available from University Sustainability Committee

The University Sustainability Committee offers two grants for student projects related to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Travel Support Grants of up to $500 for one event will be awarded to students for conferences, seminars, or workshops that take place Sept. 1-Oct. 15, 2012. Application deadline is Monday, Oct. 15.

Sustainability Speaker Grants of up to $500 for one speaker support speakers who address sustainability and environmental stewardship. Applications must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to the event.

For more information, see Campus Sustainability or contact Chris Morris at morris@uta.edu.

Parent and Family Weekend set for last weekend in October; register soon

Invite the family to come to Maverick Country for Parent and Family Weekend, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 26-28.

The weekend features a long list of events that allow students to show their families what it's like to be a Maverick. Activities include faculty spotlights, a fall festival with live music and a petting zoo, glass-blowing demonstrations, a theater production, Movin’ Mavs basketball, and more.

Students and children under 10 are free. All others are $30 per person. Everyone who attends will receive a free T-shirt, breakfast, and dinner, as well as participate in most activities at no extra cost.

Online registration continues through Wednesday, Oct. 24.

'The Shorthorn' offers new apps

Read The Shorthorn on your iPhone or Android. Apps are available through Apple and Android. However, the campus newspaper's content is available in formats optimized for all mobile devices with no apps needed.

Sign up to receive The Daily Digest, an email summary of daily news with links to the full stories.

If you encounter problems with any of The Shorthorn's digital products, email Adam Drew, adrew@uta.edu.

Share your thoughts about the new publication schedule with The Shorthorn editor Dustin Dangli at editor.shorthorn@uta.edu.

View 'Half the Sky' film on gender oppression

The documentary Half the Sky, which looks at the oppression of women and girls across the world, will show at 5:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Lone Star Auditorium in the Maverick Activities Center.

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is a movement to confront gender oppression. Inspired by the book of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the Half the Sky movement is a call to action to empower women to increase prosperity and stability around the globe.

Concessions are available. Donations are encouraged for the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation.

The film is hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life. For questions, contact Kelsey Jackson at kelseyj@uta.edu.

Freshman progress reports online

Midterm progress reports are available for many undergraduate students in their My Mav Student Center. Progress reports are intended to give realistic feedback from instructors.

When an instructor enters progress report grades, students will receive an email through their student account.

Progress report grades for freshmen are being posted now. Midterm grades will be added through October. You can see grades as soon as they are entered, so check the MyMav Student Center often.

Final deadlines near for December graduation

Late applications for December graduation will be accepted from undergraduates through Friday, Oct. 5, and from graduate students through Wednesday, Oct. 10. Additional fees and procedures may apply. Read more about undergraduate graduation and graduate student graduation requirements.

Depending on the publishing deadlines, late-applying students may not have their name included in the Commencement program. Follow instructions on Inclusion in the Commencement Booklet.

Print your own enrollment verification

Enrollment verification for the fall semester is available online. To print your verification, log on to MyMav, go to Student Center, and click on Request Enrollment Verification to access the National Student Loan Clearinghouse.

'Art of Sport' now on exhibit in University Center The exhibit “Art of Sport,” a collection of sports photography by Jeremy Schack and Movin' Mavs athletes, opened this week at the University Center Art Gallery in the E.H. Hereford University Center. Schack has photographed the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team and other sports. The Movin’ Mavs have won seven national championships and have a rich history of leading the nation in intercollegiate wheelchair basketball, exemplified by offering full athletic scholarships to players. Team members are consistently named to the first-team All-American squads and participate in the Paralympics. The exhibit is free and is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 12, with a closing reception 6-8 p.m., Oct. 12. For more information, see the Movin’ Mavs website.

Through Saturday, Oct. 6

Banned Books Week: Virtual Read Out Read an excerpt from your favorite challenged or banned book for Banned Books Week. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., by Welcome Desk, Central Library. UT Arlington Library.

Tuesday, Oct. 2

National Night Out Join the UT Arlington Police for information and free food, T-shirts, and more. Free. 6-7:30 p.m., University Center mall; rainsite is Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Guest Piano Recital Gustavo Romero of the piano faculty of the University of North Texas performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, Oct. 4

Maverick Speakers Series: Cokie Roberts ABC News political commentator Cokie Roberts speaks on "An Insider's View of Washington, D.C." Free, but tickets required. Premium seating $25. 7:30 p.m., Texas Hall. Maverick Speakers Series.

UTA Symphony Orchestra Concert Features music of Dvorak and solo by baritone David Grogan, assistant professor of voice. Conductor is Clifton Evans, assistant professor of music. Tickets $3. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Toby Mac Christian recording artist Toby Mac, right, with special guests Chris August and Jamie Grace, along with the Diverse City Band. Tickets $15-$40. 7:30 p.m., College Park Center, 817-272-9595.

Hispanic Heritage Soccer Tournament Soccer action as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Register by Wednesday, Oct. 3. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Intramural Fields. Multicultural Mavericks.

Sunday, Oct. 7

Jazz Alumni Concert An evening of jazz music featuring past and presents UT Arlington jazz musicians. Free. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Monday, Oct. 8

Pride Week: Gay Bingo Night Part of Pride Week. Free. 6 p.m., Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs.

Guest Artist Piano Recital Guest artist is David Forbat, associate professor of piano at the University of Central Oklahoma. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, Oct. 9

Pride Week: What's Your Gay Point Average Shane Windmeyer, right, a leading author on gay campus issues and co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride, discusses challenges confronting LGBT youth and ways every person can create safer communities where everyone can thrive. Free, 6-7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Multicultural Affairs.

Music Honors Recital A recital featuring performances by music faculty members and outstanding students in solo and chamber music settings. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Coming up

32nd annual Bed Races Teams of students push beds on wheels while decked out in creative costumes. Entry fee is $40 per team. Register online by noon, Tuesday, Oct. 9. Races 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Maverick Stadium. EXCEL Campus Activities, Campus Recreation.

Maverick Madness The official tipoff to the 2012-13 season lets fans meet the men's, women's, and Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball teams. There will be contests to win season tickets and the opportunity to travel to a select road game. Free. 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12, College Park Center. Maverick Madness.

Lunafest Film Festival Festival of short films by, for, and about women. The nine films celebrate the unique roles of women in local, national, and international communities. Tickets $5. 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Women's and Gender Studies, Lunafest.

Flo Rida Tickets $35-$80; four ticket limit. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, College Park Center, 817-272-9595.

Ongoing

Mindful Moments Take a break with Mindful Moments. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m., Wednesdays, Room 205, Health Services Center. Health Services.

The Gallery at UTA: The State of Drawing Group exhibition showcasing drawings by artists living and working in Texas. Free. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, Fine Arts Building. Through Saturday, Oct. 6. The Gallery at UTA.

India Unveiled: The Photography of Robert Arnett A collection of images highlighting the diversity of India and its various regions. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through Jan. 5, 2013. Special Collections.

Pearls of the Antilles: Printed Maps of Caribbean Islands A look at maps and how they reflect and shaped the histories of Caribbean islands. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through Feb. 9, 2013. Special Collections.

Planetarium For seven months in the Arctic Circle, crews captured timelapse images of the Aurora Borealis with high-resolution digital SLR cameras outfitted with fisheye lenses. The results are spectacular in Experience the Aurora. 5:30 p.m. Fridays, 6 p.m. Saturdays. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Tuesday, Oct. 2	Major Exploration Seminar Information and resources to help you select a major. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. University College, Success Series. Mind/Emotion Wellness Day Free mental health screenings for stress, anxiety, depression, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD, and alcohol and relationship concerns. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Red River Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Counseling Services. DUI Simulator: Reality Education for Drivers Learn about the dangers of drinking and driving. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services. 'Half the Sky' Viewing A viewing of the documentary Half the Sky, which discusses global issues affecting girls and women. Free. 5-8 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Wednesday, Oct. 3	Study Abroad for Transfer Students Hear from study abroad experts on how traveling the world broadens your world view. Free. Noon, Room 303, Ransom Hall. University College, Success Series. Freshman 15 You've got nothing to lose, but maybe the Freshman 15. Learn about campus recreation and health services. Free. 2 p.m., Room 106, College Hall. University College, Success Series. Focus on Faculty Lonny Harrison, right, assistant professor of modern languages, speaks on "When Books Go Underground: Censorship and Media Control in Russia." Free. Noon-1:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UT Arlington Library, Friends of the UT Arlington Library. The Next Generation Science Standards: What are they? Ramon E. Lopez, physics professor and a member of the leadership team developing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), provides an overview of their development. He offers insights into how engineering content and practices are being addressed. Light breakfast provided. Register. $5 donation. 7 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Engineering. Debate Watch Enjoy the presidential debate from the University of Denver on the jumbo screen. Also hear from Victoria Farrar-Myers, professor of political science, and student representatives who attended both national conventions. Voter registration and resources available. Live text polling and text surveys. Free refreshments. 7 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Honors College. Student Veteran Workshop: Study Strategies Textbooks provide a lot of information, but you need to know how to use them properly if you are going to get the most out of them. The same thing is true of taking notes, whether in a lecture or from a book. Free. 2-3 p.m., Room 303, Ransom Hall. University College.
Thursday, Oct. 4	Introduction to Adobe Illustrator Focus on manipulating shapes, text, and images to create advertisements and handouts for high-quality printing. Register. Free. 2-4 p.m., Room B29, Digital Media Studio, Central Library. Library. Mobility Public Policy Forum Featured speaker is Janet Kavinoky, vice president of the U.S. Chamber-led Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition. Sponsored in part by UT Arlington. Registration required. $35. 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Biology Colloquium Series Jeff Johnson, assistant professor of biology at the University of North Texas, discusses "Living in the Arctic: The Role of Plumage Color in Gyrfalcon Adaptation." Free. 4 p.m., Room 119, Life Science Building. Biology, Phi Sigma Honor Society.
Friday, Oct. 5	Financial Literacy Program Learn about budgeting your college expenses, saving, and credit. Free pizza. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Guadalupe Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Student Governance and Organizations. Eighth Biennial Virginia Garrett Lectures “Pearls of the Antilles: Maps of Caribbean Islands” is the theme for the Eighth Biennial Virginia Garrett Lectures on the History of Cartography and the accompanying exhibit in the Central Library’s Special Collections. Also, the Texas Map Society’s fall meeting, Saturday, Oct. 6. Students admitted free. Lectures 9:30 a.m. both days, sixth floor atrium, Central Library.
Saturday, Oct. 6	Certified Leaders Institute: Foundations Receive your certificate in leadership after completing a series of workshops exploring topics from fundamental leadership skills to advanced, critical social analysis of leadership. Workshops for the Certified Leaders Institute will be offered in the fall and spring semesters. Register online. Free. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. The Leadership Center.
Tuesday, Oct. 9	How to use your student organization bank account Learn how to maximize your student organization funding, apply to Program Assistance Funds, budget properly, and effectively utilize your University banking account. Free. 6-7 p.m., Palo Pinto Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Student Governance and Organizations.
Wednesday, Oct. 10	Maverick Major Fair Talk with advisers, ask questions, and receive information on campus resources before the rush of spring advising. Snacks and door prizes. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Library mall. University Advising Center, exploringmajors@uta.edu. Pride Week: Joel Burns Joel Burns, right, is a Fort Worth City Council member and advocate for LGBT rights. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs. Studying for Your Exam Type Learn effective review techniques and test-taking strategies. Free. Noon, Room 101, College Hall. University College, Success Series. Managing the Stress of the First Year Explore practical advice and tips to manage your stress so you can keep feeling good and stay on track to success. Free. Noon, Room 124, Life Science Building. University College, Success Series. Word for Dissertations and Theses Learn advanced features in Word 2007 used to write longer documents that will make meeting the Graduate School formatting a breeze. Free. 2-4 p.m., Room 315, Central Library. Graduate Studies.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Athletics launches redesigned website

UT Arlington Athletics unveiled its redesigned website, UTAMavs.com, last week. The re-launch coincides with the debut of "Inside UTA Athletics," a sports-specific program created for UTAMavs.com.

The new UTAMavs.com incorporates expanded multimedia and social media options, while continuing to inform the University community of the latest Mavericks' news and events. Team pages, schedules, rosters, and more have been given a fresh, updated look aimed to deliver information more efficiently.

Men second, women fifth at Notre Dame cross country

The UT Arlington men’s team finished second and the women were fifth at the Notre Dame Invitational Cross Country meet Friday in Notre Dame, Ind.

Freshman Virgilio Martinez led the Maverick men with a fifth-place individual finish while sophomore Hannah Nilsson paced the women, finishing eighth overall.

The Mavericks compete in the Chile Pepper Festival at the University of Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Volleyball splits pair of WAC matches

The Maverick volleyball team downed San Jose State on Thursday before losing to Utah State on Saturday in Western Athletic Conference matches at College Park Center.

Now 2-3 in the WAC and 6-11 overall, the Mavericks travel to Texas State on Thursday, Oct. 4, before visiting UT San Antonio on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Pick up Homecoming game tickets early

In advance of the Homecoming men's basketball game against Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 16, the Athletics Department is allowing students to pick up tickets early.

Students who have purchased All-Sports Passes can visit the College Park Center box office to pick up tickets through Friday, Oct. 19.

For more information, see Homecoming basketball tickets.

Indoor soccer entries due Wednesday

Intramural entries for indoor soccer are due Wednesday, Oct. 3. Volleyball entries are due Wednesday, Oct. 10.

For more information, see Intramural Sports.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, uta.edu/movinmavs, or uta.edu/campusrec.)